Billodue Makerspace Lab Manager

About the role

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Responsibilities

• Makerspace Operations and Oversight (30%)
  • Oversee daily functioning of the Billodue Makerspace to ensure it is approachable, well-supported, and ready for use by a wide range of students, including those with no prior experience
  • Maintain tools, equipment, and materials for reliability and usability
  • Establish clear, consistent systems that make participation straightforward
  • Reduce friction through intuitive processes, transparent expectations, and right-sized safety practices
  • Manage supplies, scheduling, and real-time user support
  • Coordinate space usage and improve ease of participation
• Mentorship and Supervision (25%)
  • Recruit, train, and supervise a team of student employees who support others in navigating tools, processes, and creative work
  • Develop onboarding and ongoing training for technical and facilitation skills
  • Foster an inclusive, collaborative team environment
  • Mentor students in peer support and user engagement
  • Create leadership pathways for returning staff
• Community Building and Outreach (20%)
  • Develop programs that encourage creativity, exploration, and connection
  • Support relationships with student groups and campus partners in collaboration with the Manager
  • Create accessible entry points for new and underrepresented users
  • Promote an inclusive, multidisciplinary understanding of making
  • Contribute to outreach and engagement efforts
• Academic and Institutional Support (20%)
  • Support faculty collaboration on makerspace-based assignments and projects
  • Translate learning goals into hands-on, student-centered activities
  • Design and deliver workshops or instructional sessions
  • Develop instructional resources and documentation
  • Participate in campus partnerships in coordination with the Manager
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)
  • Remain knowledgeable and informed about trends in experiential learning and makerspace technologies
  • Attend Library/division/department meetings
  • Contribute to Library committees and working groups as assigned

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 10 am–6 pm. Makerspace events may take place outside regular working hours, requiring some schedule flexibility. To serve a year-round academic community, the library is open some legal or university holidays and staff may be required to work a full or partial shift on such days.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques related to maker practice and experiential learning
• Knowledge and skills related to sewing, fashion, fabric arts, and/or textile design
• Knowledge and skills in a variety of craft and maker processes and technologies
• Ability to plan, organize, and schedule activities
• Ability to operate maker equipment and tools
• Ability to maintain usage data and information
• Ability to adjust and perform simple maintenance of technical equipment
• Ability to lift, push, and pull 40 pounds
• Willingness to accept and support the mission of Seattle University and its commitment to the vision and values of Jesuit and Catholic higher education
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may involve evenings and weekends as needed
• This position requires a background check of criminal history

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years’ previous experience working in higher education academic makerspaces, libraries, media, or technology centers
• Experience with crafting, woodworking, or bicycle repair and maintenance
• Experience with intermediate electronics (circuit boards, Arduinos/Raspberry Pi, IoT devices, etc.)
• Experience with the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and the maker movement
• Ability to deliver training and instruction to users with different experience levels and cultural backgrounds
• Experience leading the work of students

Pay

$62,700 – $69,400

Benefits

• Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs
• Life, short- and long-term disability coverage
• Up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits (5% nonelective + dollar-for-dollar match of voluntary contributions up to 5%)
• 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents
• Subsidized transportation benefit
• Wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility
• Wide variety of campus events
• Generous holiday schedule, vacation, paid sick leave, and paid community service leave